Container



VAUGHN l 2,121,842

CONTAINER Filed Aug. 2o', 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1v HARDLD BAE VAU 15x-1N.

- :@Glfcd/ VBY ATTORNEY. l

' June 2s, 1938.l

'Patented Jane-2s, 1938 PATENT oFFlc-E i CONTAINER Harold Gar Vaughn, Warren, Ohio, assignor to The Ohio Corrugating Company, Warren, Ohio,

a corporation of Ohio Application August 20, 1936, Serial No. 97,029

.This invention relates to a ycontainer which has a large opening at `one end and a cover therefor adapted to be sealed circumferentially to form a liquid tight container for foods, iluids,

, semi-fluids, greases and other materials. In the illustrated application of my invention, lthe body of the container is entirely open at one `end and the head for such end is removable and constitutes a cover. By preference, al1 portions of the container are formed of sheet steel.

The invention relates more particularly to a device capable of (a) holding the cor/ainer, its cover and sealing gasket in assemble relation, whereby each complete container may be transported to the place for filling without affecting the sealing characteristic of the gasket andy (17)' clamping the cover to the container, with the gasket compressed between them, when the container is filled, whereby the container is sealed and made liquid-tight; also, the invention involvescertain improvements in the ldevices shown in my co-pending applications Ser. Nos. 17,495 and .49,901,which terminated in'Letters Patent Nos. 2,075,381 and 2,075,383, respectively, dated March 30, 1937.

One object of the invention is to provide an `improved device of this character capable vof being operatively engaged with the container and its cover,'with a sealing gasket between them, for holding the container, cover and gasket in assembled relation, which permits shipment and transportation of the complete container, but in empty condition,:without damaging or compressing the gasket and also operatively engaged with the container and its cover to clamp them together with the gasket compressed and sealing the container, whereby the latter when iilled may be shipped and transported without danger of leakage. 4.0 Another objectl of the invention is to provide an improved device of this character` wherein provision is made to lock the deviceagainst accidental displacement or removal relative to the container and its cover when in position whether. the container is being transported in empty or filled condition.

Another objectof the invention is to' provide van improved devic'e of this character that is relatively simple in construction, economical to manufacture and readily positioned and removed. K n

Other objects of the invention lwill be apparent to those skilled in the art to which my in' 66 vention relates from the following description taken in` connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 isa plan view'of a container and a device embodying my invention, the latter being shown' in expanded or open position ready for 5y engagement with the container and its cover (parts of the coverbeing broken away to show the gasket).

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary'plan view of an emptyr container and showing the device in applied po'- 10 sition and holding the container, cover and gasket in assembled relation, ready for shipment.

Fig. 3 is a side elevationl of the parts shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3. 15

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of a filled container and showing the device in applied position, with the cover clamped in final 'position' and the gasket compressed to seal the container against leakage. f

Fig. 6 is a. section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a section on the line 1.-1 of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a sectional View similar to Fig. '7, but showing the operation of e'xpandingthe device preparatory to removing the cover. 25

Fig. 9 is a section on the line 9--9 of Fig. 3. Fig. 1Q is a section on the line III-I0 of Fig. 9, and

Fig. 11 is a detail view. The container illustrated is ofthe steel drum or barrel type, having a Iside wall I, a cover 2 and a bottom wall or head 2a. The side wall I is provided with the usual rolling hoops Ia, -Which are preferably embossed circumferentially in the side wall, as shown. The uppery end of the side wall is rolled over outwardly to form a continuous circumferential bead 3 and the cover 2 has a circumferential wall or flange 4 arranged to engage apacking or gasket 5 seated on the bead 3 and effect a closing and sealing 40 vof the container. The cover is preferably cupshaped so as to t or telescope within the open end of the side wall I, the flange 4 projecting outwardly to liev over the packing A5.

6 indicates a device which consists of a split 45 ring substantially U-shape in cross section and whenpositi ned, the ring surrounds the bead 3 and 'its up er and lower circumferential terminating walls 6a, 6b,'engage the flange 4 and l'lower side of the bead 3 to (a.) hold the con- 50 tainer, cover and gasket in assembled'relation for shipment of the container in complete conditio'n but empty (see Figs. 2, 3 and 4) or (b) effect sealing of the cover in position when the container is lled to prevent leakage during shipment (see Figs. 5, 6 and 7). The ring 6 is preferably formed of resilient metal, whereby it may be readily expanded circumferentially and its ends separated substantially laterally suclently to permit the ring to he positioned around the bead and lidange and then contracted circumferentially into engagement therewith.

When the ring 6 is contracted and applied to the container bead 3 and cover ange 4 for holding the container, cover and gasket in assembled relation, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the :container is closed so that dust, dirt and the elements are entirely excluded. The operations of contracting the ring into the positions above referred to and expanding or removing it are accomplished as hereinafter set forth.

1 indicates as an entirety locking means carried entirely on and below/the lower wall 6b of the ring adjacent the`end`s thereof and withinI the container, cover and gasket in assembled relation or to clamp the cover in final position with the gasket compressed and sealing the container. When the locking means are operated into their i nal locked position to seal ,the container,- the compressibility of the packingS allows the ring to contract sufliciently circumferentially (as shown in Figs. 5, 6 and '7)l so that the Vupper and -lower walls 6a, 6b, serve to draw the cover ange l and bead 3t0gether, into clamped relation, with the gasket compressed between them, in which position the cover istightly held and sealed by the locking means.

For this purpose I secure exteriorly on one ring end, as by welding, a wall-8 having a depending support 8a which is provided at its lower end with an outwardly extending lug 81:. The lug 8 2: is preferably extended toward the other ring end and such extended end has pivoted to it on a vertical axis 8' the inner end of a lever 9, adapted to serve as a handle. The lug 8:1: is folded back on itself to form a relatively thick wall through which the pivot pin `8 extends. The lever 9 is substantially U-shape in cross section to effect a'reinforcement thereof and permit its side walls at their inner ends to t over the lug 8:1: and pivotally engage the opposite ends of the pin 8'. I0 indicates a link, preferably two links, pivotally connected by a vertically disposed pin 9 at one end to the opposite sides of the lever 9 at a point remote from its pivot 8'. Thevopposite or free ends of the links III are provided with a pin II, adapted to provide for the detachable connection of the links to the other end of the ring. 'I'he other ring end is provided with a wall I2, welded exteriorly thereto and having a depending support I2a provided at its lower end with an outwardly extending lug I 3 which is doubled back on itself to form a relatively thick wall. 'Ijhe outer longitudinal edge of the lug I3 is formed with a. plurality of notches Il, Ila, into any one of which the pin II may be inserted, as later set forth, following which, the lever 9 may be operated (from the Fig. 1 position) inwardly, horizontally toward and substantially into engagement with the side wall I, thereby securing the cover, gasket, container and ring in assembled relation. When the lever or handle 9 is operated into this position it may be locked and sealed at its outer end against tampering by means, indicated' as an entirety at I5. I- prefer to provide two notches- Il, Ila. spaced longitudinallyfof the ring. 1

When the pin II is inserted in the notch Il near the adjacent end of the ring and the lever is operated as above set forth (see Figs. 2, 3 and 4), the ring is contracted to a limited extentto avoid compressing the gasket and thus making it ineiective as a seal; but such contraction is sufil- .cient to secure the cover, gasket, container and ring in assembled relation. Accordingly, the container manufacturer may make and assemble these parts and ship them in assembled relation (the container empty) to the container user without distorting the gasket or affecting its sealing characteristic and the user may readily remove the gasket and cover 2, ill the container, and then replace the gasket and cover, and operate the locking means 'I inthe mannerlater set forth and thus compress the gasket to eiect sealing of the cover in a liquid-tight condition.

, When the pin II,is inserted 4in the notch Ila remote from the adjacent ring e'nd and the lever 9 is operated as above set forth (see Figs. 5 and 6), the ring is contracted into final position, the gasket 5 being compressed to seal the cover.

Due to the fact that when the complete container in empty condition is being transported, as above set forth, the ring is not contracted lmder maximum tension into nal position, I provide means, preferably separate means, at the opposite ends'of the links I0, for preventing accidental displacement or removal of the pin I I from the notch I4.

The means at the outer4 ends of the links I0 toprevent displacement or removal of the pin II from the notch Il consist in elongating the notch I4 from its mouth toward the adjacent end of the ring 6 (that is, longitudinally of the lug I3) to provide an outer side wall I4' behind which the pin II lies when the ring is contracted and positioned as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, thereby preventing the pin from disengaging the notch due to accidental knocks or vibrations incident to handling the container or movement of its carrier during transportation. The remote end wall of the notch I4 is preferably enlarged to form rearwardly of its mouth a seat |42: for'the pin I I, so that in operating the lever 9 to its outward position, it will act through the links I0 to expand the ring 6 and thus facilitate its removal.

The means at the inner ends of the links I0 to prevent displacementor removal of the pin I.I- from the notch I4 consist of a tail member I0' rigidly connected (preferably integrally) to one of the links and extending beyond the pivot 9' between the links I0 and lever 9. and adapted to engage at its free endwith the depending wall 8a when the lever 9 is operated to closed position, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. By preference, the free end of the tail member I0? is provided with an inward extending head Ilia: to compensate for the space between the pivot 9' and wall 8a and thus insure engagement with the wall 8a when the lever 9 is in closed position. When the parts are in this latter position, the tail member I0', wallla and pivot 9' co-act to prevent swinging movementof the links Il about the pivot 9' and thus insure retention of the pin Il in'the notch Il. By preference the wall Ia is extended inwardly from the adjacent ring end 16 so that the head loa: of the tau 'member In'engages therewith, but where the wall 9a terminates inwardly of the free end of the tail member, such head would be extended so as to engage the side wall I of the container and thus prevent displacementof the links I0.

The notch Ilal is preferably inclined outwardly away from the adjacent end of the ring B so Vas lto form a seat for the pin Il when the lever 9 is to be` operated to closed position, as shown in Figs, 5 and'. The side wall of the notch Ilaremote from the adjacent ring end is enlarged rearwardly of the mouth of the notch to form a seat for the pin I I, so that the lever 9 may act through the links I0 to expand the ring 6, as

shown in Fig. 8when the ring is -to be removed. By preference, the ring is applied as follows: the pin Il is inserted in the notch I 4 and the lever 9 operated toits closed positionas shown in Fig. 2, thereby partially sealing the cover in position without compressing the gasket to any substantial extent. This voperation is followed when the container is to be shipped empty. To remove the ring the lever 9 is swung outwardly,` which operation expands the ring so that it may be removed or dropped ontoY the hoop, as already set forth. When the-container is illled and the cover is to be `sealed to protect its contents during shipment, the above contraction operation is preferably first carried out to effect partial contraction of the ring; then the pin II is vremoved from the notch Il, the lever 9 is swung outwardly f and the pin II is insertedin the notch Ila, fol-.-

lowing which the lever 9 is again swung to its closed position, as shown in Figs. 5 and 7,'thereby effecting a' final contraction of the ring and sealing of the cover.

To remove the rin `the lever is flrstlswung outwardly, the effect of which is-to partially 'expand the ring; thereafter the pin II is removed from the notch Ila and inserted in the notch I4, following which the lever 9 is again operated outwardly, the effect of which is to further Vexpand the ring 6, which may then be lifted bodily from the container or allowed to drop down on tainer, may quickly and easily, by operation of the locking means, contract the ring to seal the cover in-nal position and the receiver may with equal facility remove the ring.l As the ring in its sealing position compresses the gasket substantially to the limit of its compressibility and j often tends to stick to the ring wall, the adjustable attachment and detachment of the lock- 'ing and operating elements, as abovset forth, 'provides for a positive as well-as a ready' means for expanding or contracting the ring, both initialiyand finally, and handling thereof. f

In the arrangement shown, the inner 'end of the lever straddles the lug ,8x and the links I0 straddle thelever 9 and lug I3 and as the lugs 8:1: and I3 are disposed in the' same plane the locking action of the locking means is transmitted in. the plane of the lugs .and substantially in a direction parallelto the plane of the ring, so

that in the contracting and expanding operations of the latter, due to operation of the lever no twisting forces are imparted to the ring ends and the upper and lower walls of the ringmove substantially at right angles to the axis of the container.

The lever 9 is curved from end to end so as to lie concentric to the side wall I when in operated position.

The combined lock and sealing means I5 are arranged to connect the lever or handle 9 to an adjacent portion of the ring and the elements of these means lare arranged so as to provide frictional engagement one with another under tension so as to prevent-their accidental detachment and vibration due to bodily handling or rolling of the container. Of these means, I6 indicates an angle on .the outer end of the lever 9 to pro-y vid a vertical wall I1 and a lateral wall I8,

A which is bent downwardly for clearance purposes.

'Ihe vangle I6 is preferably provided by slitting the lower side of the lever at I6 and bending such side down to a position at right angles to the 'upper side of the lever. I9 indicates ya slot formed in the wall I8 and` extending inwardly from its free end longitudinally adjacent to the inner face of the Wall I1 and adapted to receive a latch 20. The latch 20 is pivotally connected at its'upper end to a lug 2| depending below the lower ring wall 6b, the lug 2I being integrally connected to a `wall 2Ia welded exteriorly to the ring 6 as shown in Figs. l, 2, 3,- 9 and l0. I'he pivot 20 for the latch 20 extends substantially radially of the axis of the ring and is arranged inwardly of Ithe free end of the lever 9 (when the latter is in operated or closed position, see Fig. 3), the latter being supported by depending members 8a and I2a in a plane below such pivot 20'. Inv

this arrangement the latch 29 may be swung outwardly to a position out' of the path of movement of the lever 9, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 10, and then swung downwardly to its vertical position and into the recess or slot I9 (see Fig. l0),4 thereby locking the lever or handle 9.

'I'he latch 20 is preferably slightlyl out of aline ment with one wall of the slot I9, so that it has to be forced thereinto, the effect of which is to provide a resilient, sliding contact between their walls to prevent these parts from vibrating. To

` facilitate entering the latch 20 into the slot I9,

it is provided with a beveled wall I9. `The free end of the latch 20 ls provided with an inturned end 22 which serves as an extension to facilitate swinging the latch into and out of lockingposition. The wall I1 and latch 20 are formed `with openings 29, 29', respectively, adapted to register, when the lever 9 is in closed position and the latch 20 is in locking position, and to permit a wire 24 to be threaded through them and their ends connected by a seal slug 25.

The wall ISVmay-be embossed on its face adjacent the latch 20,. as shown at 25 to provide an abutment to thus serve as an auxiliary means to prevent outward swinging of'4 the 'latch'.

The walls 8 and I2 are arranged adjacent'the ends of the ring and serve to reinforce the ring sov that the latter may be made of light -gage material.

To those skilled in the art to which my invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications o! the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. My disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and not intended to be in any sense limiting. i

' What I claim is:

1. A resilient split ring of substantially channel l shape in cross section for engaging circumferential portions of a container and its cover, in combination with means for contracting said ring, including a levery pivoted at its inner end to one end portion of said ring and a link pivotally connected intermediate its end to said lever intermediate the ends of the latter, one end o f said link being arranged to detachably engage the other end portion of the ring, the other` end of said link being extended substantially longitudinally beyond its pivot for engagement with an abutment, when the lever is in operated position to prevent movement of the link about its pivot, whereby disengagement of the link lfrom said other end portion of the ring is prevented.

2. A resilient split ring of substantially channel shape in cross section the upper and lower walls of which engage circumferential portions of a container and its cover, in combination lwith means for contracting said ring, including a lever pivoted at its inner end on said lower ring Wall adjacent one end portion of said ring, a link pivotally connected intermediate its ends to said lever intermediate the ends of thelatter,the outer endof said link being arranged to detachably engage the other end portion of said ring 'and said link being `tial portions of a container and its cover, in combination with means for contracting said ring, in-

cluding a lever pivoted to one end portion of said ring, a link pivotally connected to said lever intermediate its ends and provided at its outer end with an engaging element, the other end portion of said ring being provided with a wall formed with spaced notches to removably, receive said element, whereby .when said element is engaged in the notch adjacent the ring end, operation of i saidr lever to closed position will contract said ring suiliciently to hold the container and its cover in assembled relation and when said element is engaged in a notch remote from the ring end, operation of said lever to closed position will contract said ring to a greater extent and clamp the cover to the container, the inner end of said link being extended substantially longitudinally beyond its pivot to provide a tail member the free end of which, when said lever is in operated positionI is arrangedto engage with an abutment, whereby disengagement of the outer end of said link from one of said notches is prevented.

4. In a container construction, 'the combinationA with a container body having an external bead surrounding the opening therein and a cover having a ange arranged to engage the bead, of

a resilient split ring of substantially channel shape in cross section to form upper and lower walls for engaging said bead and said ange, and toggle mechanism pivotally mounted on said lower wall adjacent one end .portion of said ring for contracting said ring, one element of said toggle mechanism consisting ofa link pivoted intermediateits ends ,to another element of said mechanism, the inner end of said link being extended substantialy longitudinally to provlde'a tail member the length of which is grear than the dis-'- tance between the pivot for the link and the side wall of the container when said togglel mechanism is operated to closed position, for engagement with an abutment, and the router end of said link being arranged to detachably engage the other end portion of said ring, the operation of said toggle mechanism to closed position serving to contract said ring and to move the pivot for said link substantially into alinement with the pivotal connections of said togglel mechanism and outer end of said link with the end portions of said ring and to position said tail member adjacent the abutment, whereby disengagement of the outer end of said link from said other end portionfof the ring is prevented.

5. A ring as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lever is pivotally mounted on a lug carried by the ring and a portion of the 'lug serves asan abutment for the extended other end of said link.

HAROLD GAR VAUGHN.. 

